Labor is one of the largest expenses in the landscape services industry, and maintenance services, such as pruning, is one of the most labor-intensive tasks. While plant growth regulators (PGRs) can be a cost-effective tool to control growth in shrubs and reduce labor expenses, lack of information on the economic feasibility of PGRs has limited…Read more about Are PGRs worth it? A sensitivity analysis using Paclobutrazol for shrub maintenance[Read More]

Labor is one of the largest expenses in the landscape services industry, and maintenance services, such as pruning, are one of the most labor-intensive tasks. While plant growth regulators (PGRs) can be a cost-effective tool to control growth in shrubs and reduce labor expenses, a lack of information on the economic feasibility of PGRs has…Read more about Costs of applying plant growth regulators (PGRs) for shrub maintenance[Read More]

Dry summers are not that unusual in Indiana. Of particular concern this year is that the dry spell is lasting well into autumn, putting plants in poor condition to get through the winter.   Figure 1 from the US Drought Monitor shows that much of Indiana remains abnormally dry to under moderate drought.  While some…Read more about Water Now Minimize Winter Injury[Read More]

Soil is the ‘lifeblood’ of plant health. Many people tend to focus more on above ground portions of the plant than the below ground environment.  We should always remember that a plant is only as healthy as its roots.  Knowing the basics of soils will help in understanding the health of landscape plants (Fig. 1)….Read more about Soil Basics for Improved Plant Health[Read More]

Most gardeners have heard of the wise advice “leaves of three, let it be” referring to the pest plant poison ivy. While not quite as catchy, the saying really should be “leaflets of three, let it be.” Poison ivy leaves are compound rather than simple – a single leaf is divided into three separate portions,…Read more about ‘Leaves’ of Three, Let It Be Should Be ‘Leaflets’ of Three[Read More]

We often receive inquiries from folks wanting to add landscape plants that will attract birds. Most folks primarily think of plants with edible berries. Birds require not only food such as fruits and seeds, but also shelter and water. Planting a variety of plants that offer these resources across the seasons will help attract more…Read more about It’s for the Birds![Read More]

Susan E. Yoder, Executive Director, Seed Your Future It’s an uneasy time in horticulture. Many in the industry are aging and retiring. Employers across the industry cannot find enough qualified candidates to fill their open positions. Certification programs, training programs, and college and university horticulture programs are not growing – and in many cases, declining….Read more about Growing Green Collars – Seed Your Future[Read More]